Emissions and Energy Conservation in Residentdal Oil Heating

Abstract

Emissions from oil-fired residential heating equipment can be reduced by improved steady running and cyclic efficiencies. Techniques which reduce the heating demand (thermostat cut-back) or reduce envelope losses (chimney damper) lead to reductions in SO₂ and NO emissions proportional to the fuel saving. Higher savings in CO and particulates result from cyclic modification. Reductions in nozzle size lead to an increase in unit cycle duration, reducing the off-cycle losses, with emissions reduced similarly. Changing the thermostat anticipator yields little reduction in fuel, SO₂ or NO, but significantly reduces CO and particulate emissions, by decreasing the number of cycles. Improved burner performance, with combustion at low excess air, offers the largest fuel savings, with commensurate reductions in SO₂ and NO, and greater reductions in CO and particulates.